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The song is one of the finest songs Gershwin ever wrote mixing elements of jazz and the song styles of blacks in the southeastern States, with sounds of the early 1920s. He may have based “Summertime” on the tune on a Ukrainian lullaby, Oi Khodyt Son Kolo Vikon (A Dream Passes By The Windows).

how to practice

The best accompaniment for this song is a series of strung chords, as if a harp were playing it. The rhythm needs that natural feeling of swing between each between. Arpeggiating the chords helps to achieve this effect. Although the overall effect is that of a slow blues song, he makes great use of the Pentatonic Scale C D E G A in the theme.